Ghanaian football legend Mohammed Polo believes that the Black Stars are no longer considered favorites in tournaments due to their recent unimpressive performances.
The West African powerhouse, in search of their fifth Africa Cup of Nations title, last claimed the championship in 1982 in Libya.
Ghana faced a disappointing AFCON performance in 2021, where they were eliminated in the group stage after failing to secure a victory against Comoros to advance.
During an interview with Bryt FM, Polo, a member of the 1978 AFCON-winning squad, declined to rank Ghana as a favorite to win the title in Ivory Coast, given their recent underwhelming tournament showings.
"For some time now, we have not been favorites in any competition because of our recent performance. We are not seeded in any draw, which reflects the state of our football. If something positive comes our way, it would be a miracle," Polo stated.
"We hope for a better outcome for the Black Stars at the AFCON, but I don't believe there is anything extraordinary to discuss. We hope to see improvements, and if we manage to win the trophy, that would be a different story," he added.
Ghana has been placed in Group B and will face tough opponents, including record holders Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique. Their AFCON campaign begins with a match against Cape Verde on January 14, 2024, followed by clashes with Egypt on January 18 and Mozambique on January 22.
